After EJ Obiena bronze medal at the Asian Championships in the Pole Vault on Day 1. A second medal followed with Mark Harry Diones of the Philippines leaping 16.45m to claim the Silver in the Triple Jump. Behind China’s Zhu Yaming 16.84m with China’s Xi Xiaoling getting bronze in 16.45m also.
Although it was not quite his best of 16.70m that he jumped at the Philippine National Open in Ilagan at the end of March. Diones must been very happy to come out with a medal in his first major international meet. Also the performance rates among the best achievement in the coaching career of Noel George ‘Jojo’ Posadas, whose wife and star athlete Elma Muros had 2 silvers and 2 bronzes in her career at Asian Championships. It is certainly his best achievement in the last 10-15 years.
Diones leapt the 16.45m on his third jump and fouled three of his six attempts. His last jump 16.43m secured him silver on count back With Xiaoling clearing all his jumps and ending up with 16.41m as his second best on the last jump.
Harry’s key rival and defending SEA Games Champion Ismail Hakimi of Malaysia who he had defeated at the Philippine National Open was well off form finishing 5th in 15.97m. The win over Hakimi makes the Philippines certain of a third sure gold medal at SEA Games. Diones was fourth at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.
